Director of Agriculture Filifa’atali Mike Fuiava is pleased with initial discussions he’s held with Samoa’s new Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Lopaoo Natanielu Mua.
Filifa’atali met the new minister this week in Apia and held initial talks about the ban on taro from Samoa.
A press statement that was issued by the Prime Minister’s Office , mentioned that American Samoa has been given results of tests done in Germany on the taro virus which affected taro in Samoa and is the reason why Filifaatali moved to ban taro from Samoa.
Filifaatali says he had a very productive meeting with the new Agriculture Minister who happens to be a graduate of his alma mater, Avele College.
The director says he learned that results of tests carried out in Germany on affected taro samples were received 3 weeks ago .
Minister Lopaoo informed him that American Samoa’s DOA will be copied on the results.
Filifaatali had been waiting for the test results to decide on whether or not to lift the ban,
The director pointed out that while awaiting the results no taro and taro shoots from Upolu were allowed on the island of Savai’i.
Filifa’atali said that he is willing to work with his counterparts in Samoa but would appreciate transparency and honesty when it comes to sharing pertinent information that would impact the two Samoa.
He hopes to meet with the new Minister before the two Samoa talks and they will discuss several issues that would be mutually beneficial to the two Samoa in the long run.
